engine overheat DODGE AVENGER 2011 2.G User Guide

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), turn the system to Partial OFF
before attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer to “Elec-
tronic Brake Control” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 389

WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 415

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposalrules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
Four-Cylinder Engines –
the coolant bottle provides a
quick visual method for determining that the engine
coolant (antifreeze) level is adequate. With the engine
idling and warm to normal operating temperature, the
level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle
should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown
on the bottle.
Six-Cylinder Engines – the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the pressurized coolant bottle should be
between the “COLD” and “FULL” range on the bottle
when the engine is cold.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419

Oil Selection..................... 404,442
Oil Synthetic ........................ 406
Overheating ........................ 372
Starting ........................... 288
Temperature Gauge ................... 188
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 405
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 68
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 347
Event Data Recorder ...................... 71
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 85,350
Exhaust System ....................... 85,413
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 58
Exterior Lights .......................... 88
Fabric Care ............................ 430
Filler Location Fuel .................... 188,354Filters
Air Cleaner ......................... 407
Air Conditioning .................. 280,410
Automatic Transaxle .................. 426
Engine Oil ....................... 406,443
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 406
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 151
Flashers .............................. 372
Hazard Warning ..................... 372
Turn Signal ....................... 88,441
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 353
Engine Oil ......................... 352
Fuel Requirements ................. 350,352
Maintenance ........................ 354
Replacement Parts .................... 353
Starting ........................... 353
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 289
Floor Console .......................... 177
10
INDEX 477

Odometer............................. 192
Trip ........................... 192,195
Oil Change Indicator .................. 194,206
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............194,206
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 406
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 406
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 190
Oil, Engine ......................... 403,443
Capacity ........................... 442
Change Interval ................ 194,206,404
Checking .......................... 403
Dipstick ........................... 403
Disposal ........................... 406
Filter .......................... 406,443
Filter Disposal ....................... 406
Identification Logo ................... 404
Materials Added to ................... 406
Recommendation .................. 404,442Synthetic
.......................... 406
Viscosity ........................ 405,442
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............399,400
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 162
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overdrive ............................. 296
Overheating, Engine ...................... 372
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,467
Paint Care ............................. 426
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 304
Passing Light ........................... 151
Personal Settings ........................ 212
Pets .................................. 83
Phone, Cellular .......................... 97
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 97
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 322
10
INDEX 483